Israeli Politicians Slam Obama for Protecting Hezbollah

Published allegations that former U.S. President Barack Obama had blocked an investigation into Hezbollah’s global drug trafficking in order to smooth the way for the Iran nuclear deal prompted a barrage of criticism from some Israeli politicians on Tuesday.

If the Politico story is true, “Obama must return his Nobel Peace Prize,” Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid was quoted as saying by The Jerusalem Post.

“Israel warned repeatedly that there can be no connection between the nuclear deal and anti-terror activity, certainly against Hezbollah… We also warned of this specifically, because of the proven link between Hezbollah and Iran.”

Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud) said the report is not surprising, given Obama’s “persistent efforts to give Iran, Nasrallah’s patron, legitimacy at any price.

“Up until the Obama administration, every American President fought terrorism uncompromisingly… I am convinced that the Trump administration will not turn from that tradition, and that the outrageous and mistaken policy that was revealed this week will not be repeated,” Hanegbi said.

Former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren said the news “wouldn’t surprise any Israeli involved in the attempts to prevent a bad nuclear deal with Iran.

“It was clear that the government was willing to do anything to reach an agreement, including ignoring Iranian terror that took the lives of hundreds of Americans and Israelis and hundreds of thousands of Syrians,” Oren said.

Communications Minister Ayoob Kara (Likud) called the report “excellent,” tweeting that Obama made it possible for Hezbollah to grow stronger.

“Does anyone still doubt Obama was bad for Israel and how Trump is better for us?” Kara asked.

Meanwhile, Congressman Robert Pittenger (R. N.C.) asked House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy to open an investigation into the Politico allegations.